Inform the officer or not when concealed carry?

[hk boy]

in Texas ccw is linked with dmv
i don't know if it is required by law to tell
but once they run your licence, your ccw will be known

[utimmer43]

in Texas ccw is linked with dmv
i don't know if it is required by law to tell
but once they run your licence, your ccw will be known

This may be true in alot of states. But just because you have a permit doesn't necessarily mean you are in possession. The way I see it, if you are in a state that doesn't require you to notify, and they run your DL and it comes up that you have a carry permit, that is enough of a notification. At that point, if it is a big enough concern to the officer, they will approach with caution and ask if you have a weapon.

[maybejim]

I guess I'm also in the minority here.

If I'm carrying, I wouldn't inform a LEO since my home state (PA) doesn't require me to. And, contrary to popular belief, I'm not required to give him a yes/no answer to the question "Do you have any weapons on you?" I can stay silent or answer with a question "What's the problem, officer?".

Only if he has reasonable suspicion that you have a firearm can he require the LTCF.

In my opinion, my right to travel and live freely trumps the officer's rights to restrict them. He should have PC before going on fishing expeditions. Plus, if I inform him that I am indeed carrying, there's a fair chance of him going into panic mode and thinking I'm going to draw and unload on him. In the end, since that would almost never be my intention, it would be safer to just not bring it up if you aren't required to.

Then again, I'm big on the exercise of rights and the restriction of government from intruding on the personal lives of those it governs. Each one of us has to figure out for ourselves how far we are willing to let government in on our lives.

You are not the only one to think like that but you are right we seem to be in the minority. I might notify the officer in a gun friendly state (on the off chance it might give me brownie points) but never in my gun unfriendly home state of Kalifornia. I am not required to notify and I won't.

[Lammo]

Washington does not require notification but if there were any chance the officer would see the gun, e.g., suit coat falling open as I reach for my license or the registration and insurance, then I would certainly tell him/her before I made the reach. If no chance it could be seen, e.g. under sweatshirt and zipped up jacket, I probably would not. Of course, they're going to see my DPA badge when I get out my license and my CPL rides behind my license so that is likely to defuse any possible problems.

[Ranger984]

when I took a free Firearms course from my local Sheriff's department the Instructor whom is an LEO stated that here in Georgia we do not have to notify LEO's unless they ask us to step out of the car. then he said we should inform the LEO I have a GFL and I am Armed what would you like for me to do now?

[rayven]

when I took a free Firearms course from my local Sheriff's department the Instructor whom is an LEO stated that here in Georgia we do not have to notify LEO's unless they ask us to step out of the car. then he said we should inform the LEO I have a GFL and I am Armed what would you like for me to do now?

Georgia doesn't have a "notify LEO" law, so you don't have to inform anyone that you are carrying. Even if he asks you to step out of the car, you still don't have to inform him. You can inform if you so choose, but you are under no obligation to do so.

It's a good idea to figure out what you want to say/do in that type of situation now -- before you ever need to worry about it. This way, the intimidation and scare factors don't come into play on the side of the LEO. You can already have a plan set in motion in case you ever need it, and you get to protect your rights at the same time.

BTW, here's a website for you since you live in Georgia: Georgia Carry : An information clearinghouse for Georgia Firearms License issues and news

[mike5757]

In Idaho you are required to show your DL and CWP and I personaly believe you should tell the officer just out of courtesy.As long as you are not involved in criminal activty there will be no problem

[Cityboy]

In Idaho you are required to show your DL and CWP and I personaly believe you should tell the officer just out of courtesy.As long as you are not involved in criminal activty there will be no problem

When did this change? I've been misinformed then.

[maybejim]

In Idaho you are required to show your DL and CWP and I personaly believe you should tell the officer just out of courtesy.As long as you are not involved in criminal activty there will be no problem

You do not have to present your carry permit to the officer in Idaho unless it's a very recent change.

I don't understand how it is courtesy to notify an officer. Is it courtesy to tell him you have a carton of milk and a box of twinkies?

[Sheldon]

In Michigan it is not a option it is the law!!!